When planting flower bulbs, not only the width of the pot should be used, but also its depth. Then several layers of onions can be placed at once. Optimal combination of varieties ensures good growth on all sides.
How to plant flower bulbs in layers in a pot?
To plant bulbs in layers in the pot, create a drainage layer using gravel or other coarse materials. Place the onions of different sizes in layers, alternating with the substrate, starting with the largest onions and working towards the smallest onion layer. Finally, pour well.
Suitable flower bulb varieties
Spring bloomers are ideal for this project. They have a wide variety of varieties, sprout in different sizes and grow mostly upwards without taking up much space. That's why the bulbs can be planted in large numbers next to each other or one below the other.
The best known and most popular representatives are certainly the colorful tulips, the wonderfully fragrant hyacinths and the sunny daffodils. But there are far more of them. Choose differentflower bulb varieties that differ in bulb size.
Substrate
If you plant flower bulbs in pots, the substrate must be permeable because wet flower bulbs rot quickly. That's why normal potting soil should be mixed with sand. You still need drainage material (€19.00 on Amazon) such as gravel and fleece that separates it from the soil above.
Pot
Planting bulbs in multiple layers is also known as the lasagne method. To do this, the pot must have the following properties:
- enough volume to accommodate all onions
- its depth should be enough for several layers of onions
- have enough drainage holes so that water can drain away
- made of frost-free material (if wintering outdoors)
Planting time
Plant the flower bulbs from around mid-September. Then they have the opportunity to take root well in the fall. However, if the weather is still very mild, you should wait a little longer.
Instructions
- First fill in a drainage layer and place a piece of fleece over it.
- Spread a layer of substrate several centimeters high.
- Place the largest flower bulbs on top so that they are evenly distributed.
- Place a thin layer of substrate on top.
- Then layer the largest of the remaining onions.
- Cover these too with some substrate.
- Continue this layer by layer until all the bulbs are planted.
- Finally there is a layer of substrate on top. It should be twice as high as the last bulbs planted.
- Water the onions well.
Location in winter
The planted spring bloomers are hardy but still sensitive to frost in the pot. Place the pot in a cool basement to overwinter until it is time to sprout. A sheltered spot on the balcony is also an option. However, the pot must be protected with fleece and the substrate covered with brushwood.
Tip
Alternatively, you can bury planted pots in the garden and dig them up again in spring.
